External TV Antenna Orientation

[BruceinFL]

If you are like me and don't have satellite TV and also have a directional Winegard roof mount antenna, then you probably have also been in a campground and have tried to figure out which way to orient the antenna to get the best reception using the trial and error method. What a pita that is! Well, I ran across this website: http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Welcome.aspx.

Click on "Choose an Antenna" and put in your zip code or better yet, click on More Options on the bottom of the page and input your lat/long location and then click submit. You will get a list of stations and also the magnetic direction to the station. Now it will be relatively easy to grab a compass and orient your antenna. You don't have to submit any personal info; just a ZIP code or lat/long.

 

[Alaskansnowbirds]

Bruce,

I can't get that URL to load. When I mouse over your link it shows as "http://webhttp//www.antennaweb.org/aw/Welcome.aspx". There are too many // in there. If I take out the //webhttp I get antenna web's site and I don't see anywhere on there any antenna pointing information.

Do you have a corrected URL?

Thanks

 

[Lou Schneider]

Try this one:

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx

 

[Alaskansnowbirds]

Thanks Lou.

 

[joelmyer]

Antenna Web appears to give you the low hanging fruit.  It doesn't tell me about all the stations I can get at home with just the rv antenna.

http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=66&Itemid=1 is more comprehensive.

Joel

 

[PancakeBill]

Joel
That is impressive!

 

[Jim Dick]

On my Sharp Aquos menu I have a selection for "Antenna setup - Digital". It gives me a choice of signal strength or channel strength. I just rotate the antenna until I have the best signal. Works really well.

This feature may be available on all TV's that are digital ready.

 

[BruceinFL]

On my Sharp Aquos menu I have a selection for "Antenna setup - Digital". It gives me a choice of signal strength or channel strength. I just rotate the antenna until I have the best signal. Works really well.

This feature may be available on all TV's that are digital ready.

Mine does too Jim but I can't see the TV while I'm rotating the stupid antenna.

 

[carson]

I think all converters have the signal strength  indicator. I use it to fine-tune the antenna.

  Problem is that when you are in an area with few channels, some with weak strength and won't register when auto-tuning to find channels. Move the antenna and tune again you may find other channels. What I do is to find out on a map where the closest city is and in what direction. Then using my trusty boyscout compass to determine the antenna pointing direction required.

  Sounds convoluted but that's the only way I can think of getting the weaker signals. If you have neighbors they probably have pointed their antennas already; giving you a place to start.

  What say?

carson FL



   

 

[Biker56]

Another Station finder Click Here

 

[carson]

Thanks, Biker 56

  That's a good one. Zipcode is all one needs.

carson

 

[Jim Dick]

Hi Bruce,

Yeh, I forgot sometimes the manufacturer doesn't take into account that it's nice to see the screen when trying to adjust the picture! Then there are the ones that mount them in a 5th wheel at the highest ceiling point. Need a step ladder to reach it. ;D

 

[boxerdad2010]

I realize you said no sat antenna but I really love the sat system I have. You turn it on, it finds the sats and a few minutes later the TV works like at home. What could be better?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

But satellites don't work under trees or other cover.  Easterners find they often need their antenna, even if they have satellite dishes. Lots of forest in the eastern US.

 

[geodrake]

We use the antenna to receive local stations in addition to using the satellite.